The Portland daily press., 1887-12-07
TIE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Their sum has been added for the bench. OF
the manufacturer under the operation OF
other tariff laws. In the mean time the day
arrives when the farmer finds It necessary 70
purchase wooden goods and material to
clothe himself and family for the winter
When he faces the tradesman for that pur-
pose he discovers that he is Obliged not
only to return in the way Of increased prices,
his tariff profit on the wool he sold, ana
which then perhaps lies before him in man
ufactured form, but that he must add con-
siderable sum thereto to meet further in
crease in cost caused by tariff duty on the
manufacture. Thus in the end he is aroused
to the fact that he has paid upon moderate
purchase, as result of the tariff scheme,
which, when he sold his wool seemed so
profitable, an increase in price more than
sufficient to sweep away all the tariff prolt
he received upon the wool he produced ana
sold.
When the number of farmers engaged in
wosl-raising is compared with all the farm
ers in the country, and the small proportion
they bear to our population Is considered ;
when 1t is made apparent that, In the case Oh
large part of those who own sheep, the
benefit of the present tariff on wool is illus
DRY: and, above all, when it must be con-
coded that the increase of the cost of living
caused by such tariff becomes a burden upon
those with moderate means and the poor, the
employed and the unemployed, the sick and
well, and the young and old and that it con-
stitutes tax which, with relentless grasp, is
fastened upon the clothing of every man,
woman and child in the land, reasons are
suggested why the removal or reduction of
this duty should be included in revision OF
our tariff laws
In speaking of the Increased cost to the
consumer of our home manufactures, result
ing from duty laid upon imported articles
of the same description, the fact is not over
looked that competition among our domestic
producers sometimes has the effect OF keep
sx,, fIsnt Arfa Nf fhnf hal a
highest limit allowed by such duty. But it is
notorious that this competition is too often
strangled by combinations quite prevalent at
this time, and frequently called trusts, which
have for their object the regulation OF the
supply and price of commodities made and
sold by members of the combination. The
people can hardly hope for any consideration
In the operation of these selfish schemes.
If, however, in the absence of any such
combination, healthy and free competition
reduces the price of any particular dutiable
article OF home production, below the limit
which it might otherwise reach under our
tariff laws, and if. with such reduced price,
its manufacture continues to thrive, it is en-
tirely evident that one thing has been dis
covered which should be carefully scrutin-
lied in an effort to reduce taxation.
The ecessity of combination to maintain
the price of any commodity to the tariff
point, furnishes proof that some one is will
ing to accept lower prices for such commo-
dity, and that such prices are -emunerative !;
and lower prices produced by competition
these conditions exist, case would seem to
be presented for an easy reduction of tax
alton.
The considerations which have been pre-
sented touching out tariff laws are intended
only TO enforce an earnest recommendation
that the surplus revenues of the government
be prevented by the reduction of our customs
duties, and, at the same time, to emphasize
suggestion that in accomplishing this pur-
pose, we may discharge double duty to our
people by granting to them measure of re-
lief from tariff taxation in quarters where it
is most needed and from sources where it
can be most fairly and justly accorded.
Nor can the presentation made of such
considerations be, with any degree of fair
ness, regarded as evidence of unfriendliness
toward our manufacturing interests, or Of
any lack of appreciation of their value and
Importance.
These interests constitute a leading and
most substantial element of our national
greatness and furnish the proud proof of
our country's progress. But if in the emer-
gency that presses upon us our manufac-
turers are asked to surrender something
for the public good and to avert disaster,
their patriotism, as well as grateful recog-
milton of advantages already afforded should
lead them to willing cooperation. No de-
mand is made that they shall forego all the
benefits of governmental regard; but they
can not fail to be admonished of their duty,
as well as their enlightened self-interest and
safety, when they are reminded of the fact
that financial panic and collapse, to which
the present condition tends, afford no great
er shelter or protection to our manufacturers
than to our other important enterprises.
Opportunity for safe, careful and deliberate
reform is now offered; and none of us
should be unmindful of a time when an
abused and irritated people, needless of
those who have resisted timely and reason
able relief, may insist upon a radical and
sweeping rectifcation of their wrongs.
The difficulty attending wise ana fair re-
vision of our tariff laws is not underestimat-
ed. 1t will require on the part of the Con-
gress great labor and care, and especially a
broad and national contemplation of the sub
ject, and patriotic disregard of such local
and selfish claims as are unreasonable and
reckless of the welfare of the entire country.
Under our present laws more than fonr
thousand articles are subject to duty. Many
of these do not, in any way compete with
our own manufactures, and many are hardly
worth attention as subjects of revenue. A
considerable reduction can be made in the
aggregate by adding them to the free list.
The taxation of Injuries presents no fea-
lures of hardship; but the necessaries of life
used and consumed by all the people, the du-
ty upon which adds to the cost of living in
every home, should be greatly cheapened.
The radical reduction of the duties impos-
ed upon raw material used in manufactures,
or its free importation, is of course an i'm
portant factor in any effort to reduce the
price of these necessaries; it would not only
relieve them from the increased cost caused
by the tariff on such material, but the manu-
product being thus cheapened, that
part OF the tariff now laid upon such product
as a compensation to our manufacturers for
the present price of raw material, could be
modified. Such reduction or free
Importation. would serve beside to largely
reduce the revenue. 1t is not apparent how
such change can have any injurious effect
upon our manufacturers. On the contrary,
it would appear to give them better chance
In foreign markets with the manufacturers
by free material Thus our people might
have the opportunity of extending their
sales beyond the limits of home consumption
them from the depression, Interrupt
ton in business, and loss caused by glutted
domestic market, and affording their en-
ployes more certain and steady labor, with
It's resulting quiet and contentment
The question thus imperatively presented
for solution should be approached in a spirit
he light of that regard for for patriotic duty
which should characterize the action of those
with the veal of confiding people.
But the obligation to declared party policy
and principle is not wanting to urge prompt
and effective action. Both of the great po-
itical parties now represented in the gov
eminent have, by repeated and authoritative
condemned the condition of our
avs which permit the collection from the
people of unnecessary revenue, and have, in
The most solemn manner, promised its cor
.ection; and neither as citizens or partisans
Ire our co ,ntrymen in a mood to cOndone
The deliberate violation of these pledges.
Our progress toward a wise conclusion will
lot be improved by dwelling upon the the
,ries of protection and free trade This
'avors too much of bandying epithets. 1t is
condition which confronts us-not a
heory. Relief from this condition may in
Yolve slight reduction Of the advantages
which we award our home productions, but |
he entire withdrawal of such advantages |
should not be contemplated. The question |
# free trade is absolutely irrelevant; and |
he persistent claim made in certain quarters,
hat all efforts to relieve the people from un-
ust and unnecessary taxation are schemes |
# so-called free traders, is mischevous and |
ar removed from any consideration for the |
public good.
The simple and plain duty which we owe
he people is to reduce taxation to the nee |
,ssary expenses of an economical operation |
# the government and to restore to the bus |
ness OF the country the money which we |
lold in the Treasury through the perverson |
# governmental powers. These things can |
md should be done with safety to all our in |
lustries, without danger to the opportunity |
or remuneratiye labor which our working |
men need, and with benefit to them and all |
ur people, by cheapening their means of |
ubsistance and increasing the measure OF |
heir comforts.
The Constitution provides that the Presi- |
lent shall, from time to time, give to the |
s..E% Atxs. % 1NoAA ef fIa